Pre-Prep Academic
Learning, Growth & Development
Early Years
Pre-Reception & Reception Years
In our Pre-Reception and Reception years, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum, which focuses on three Prime Areas of development:
- Communication and Language
- Physical Development
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
It also focuses on four Specific Areas of development: Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, and Expressive Arts and Design. Learning is play-based, child-led, and enriched through hands-on exploration and discovery.
We deliver outstanding Early Years education within a rich and stimulating school environment. As an exempt setting, we are not bound by the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage teaching and learning requirements. This allows us to go above and beyond offering a bespoke curriculum tailored to our boys’ needs and interests. Our exemption reflects our commitment to excellence and aligns with the broader educational ethos of Arnold House.
Curriculum
Year 1
Our Year 1 programme follows the National Curriculum in England, enriched with a broad and engaging range of subjects:
- Literacy and Phonics
- Mathematics
- Science, Geography, and History
- Art, Design & Technology, Drama, and Dance
- Religion, Culture and Diversity
- Computing and Digital Literacy
- PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education)
We go beyond the basics by integrating enquiry-based learning and collaborative projects, that spark curiosity and creativity. These often culminate in educational trips and workshops helping boys connect classroom learning with the wider world.
Values
How We Teach
Across all year groups, we embed the Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning:
- Playing and Exploring
- Active Learning
- Creating and Thinking Critically
Our curriculum reflects the school’s core values of industry – encouraging perseverance and strong work ethic – and citizenship, fostering respect, responsibility and a sense of community.
Mornings focus on core subjects such as Literacy and Mathematics, while afternoons promote creative and enquiry-based learning through projects and cultural experiences.
We warmly invite parents to share cultural heritage, enriching our curriculum and celebrating diversity.
Co-curricular
Additional Enrichment
As part of our weekly timetable, boys enjoy specialist led sessions in PE, Music, Modern Foreign Languages and Forrest School. Our dedicated peripatetic teachers also offer individual and group lessons in a range of instruments including cello, guitar, violin and piano starting from Reception.
Throughout the day our continuous and enhanced provision encourages boys to follow their interests, collaborate with their peers and develop independence in their learning.
We celebrate and document progress through the online learning journal Tapestry, vibrant classroom displays and carefully curated workbooks, showcasing each boys’ unique learning journey.
